The Subtle Knife

Lyrics

One edge for the iron, one edge for the dark,
I can find the seam in the empty air.
You lost two fingers just to leave a mark,
To hold my heavy handle against the glare.
I sleep inside a sheath of stiffened hide,
Waiting for the pressure of your palm.
But I feel the human shudder deep inside,
The ripple in your artificial calm.

I do not fear the armor, I do not fear the void.
I slice the woven heavens like a breath.
What terrifies the knife is just the boy
Who lets a second guess invite the death.
Hold me without memory, hold me without grief,
I am only as flawless as your will.
If your focus shatters, I am a broken leaf.
Keep your mind perfectly still.

Push the tip forward. Feel for the catch.
A resonance humming just a micron wide.
Slide me through the curtain, lifting up the latch,
But I feel your sudden panic start to rise.
Your hand has mapped my balance, we share a nervous system,
The cortex and the carbon tightly bound.
But you are thinking of the girl, and how you missed her,
And my edge is catching on the sound.

I can open up a window to another painted realm,
I can kill the oldest tyrant in the light.
But I cannot survive a wielder overwhelmed,
A sudden drop in pressure mid-flight.
I am made of absolute intention.
You are made of flesh and apprehension.

I do not fear the armor, I do not fear the void.
I slice the woven heavens like a breath.
What terrifies the knife is just the boy
Who lets a second guess invite the death.
Hold me without memory, hold me without grief,
I am only as flawless as your will.
If your focus shatters, I am a broken leaf.
Keep your mind perfectly still.

You are looking at her face.
Your grip is going soft.
I feel the microscopic drag.
I feel the doubt.
Don't pity the fabric.
Don't let the mercy out.
Don't think of...